Shoe Carrying Device

ABSTRACT

A shoe carrying device for storing and carrying shoes. The device includes a bag having a front wall, a rear wall, and a main compartment within the interior in which a pair of shoes can be stored. In the main compartment, there is at least one removable vertical divider that allows for the separation and organization of one or more pairs of shoes and one or more shoe straps that can secure the pair of shoes in an upright position. The device includes an opening adapted to provide access to the main compartment of the bag. A cushioned insert is disposed on the bottom of the bag on the interior thereof, wherein the cushioned insert conforms to the size and shape of the shoe therein. In this way, the shoes remain in a preserved condition. The device further includes one or more pockets disposed on the exterior of the bag.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/059,465 filed on Oct. 3, 2014. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to shoe carrying devices. Morespecifically, the present invention provides a bag having a front wall,a rear wall, and a main compartment within the interior adapted toreceive one or more pairs of shoes therein. At least one removablevertical divider is disposed in the main compartment of the bag adaptedto separate a pair of shoes. A cushioned insert is disposed on thebottom of the bag on the interior thereof, wherein the cushioned insertconforms to the size and shape of the shoe therein. In this way, theshoes remain in a preserved condition. The device further includes oneor more shoe straps adapted to fit over a shoe and secure each shoe inan upright position. One or more pockets are disposed on the exterior ofthe bag, wherein each pocket includes a base and one or more sidewallswith a defined interior volume. One or more handles are disposed on thebag, as well as one or more shoulder straps adapted to fit around auser's neck or over a user's shoulder. The device includes a topopening, allowing access to the main compartment therein.

Many women enjoy wearing high heels and other stylish shoes whenattending events, such as weddings, parties, and the like. However, highheels can become very uncomfortable to walk in after a period of timeand a user may wish to change into a different pair of shoes. Some womendecide to carry their shoes or pack their shoes in a purse, which isinconvenient and can cause damage to the shoes or the interior of apurse. The shoes can be dirty causing other objects in a purse to becomedirty, including the interior of the purse. Furthermore, shoes occupy alarge area, thereby preventing a user from placing other necessaryobjects therein. Thus, there exists a need for a bag adapted to storeshoes and other items therein, while providing a visual appeal to theuser.

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to shoecarrying devices. These include devices that have been patented andpublished in patent application publications. These devices generallyrelate to bags that include a separate compartment adapted for shoes tobe placed therein. The compartment is typically disposed at the base ofthe bag, wherein other items may be stored above the shoes. These bagstypically include side entry into the compartment in order to access theshoes therein. These devices include U.S. Patent Application PublicationNumber 2007/0000796 to Kameoka, U.S. Patent Application PublicationNumber 2011/0146856 to Vancelette, U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,615 to Ginat, andU.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2013/0048164 to Fleming.Other devices, such as U.S. Patent Application Publication Number2013/0105048 to Cornelius, relate to an expandable purse that includesan auxiliary bag that fits inside the expandable purse adapted forcompact shoes to be placed therein. One other device, U.S. PatentApplication Publication Number 2013/0020160 to Mangano, relates toexpandable luggage with multiple compartments that can fit shoes andother travel items therein. These devices, however, fail to disclose abag having a shoe compartment with one or more straps adapted to beplaced over a shoe and a cushioned insert that conforms to the size andshape of the shoe placed therein. Furthermore, these devices fail toinclude a removable vertical divider adapted to separate a pair ofshoes.

In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted thatthe present invention substantially diverges in design elements from theprior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the artfor an improvement to existing shoe carrying devices. In this regard theinstant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofshoe carrying devices now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a new shoe carrying devices wherein the same can beutilized for providing convenience for the user when storing or carryingshoes.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved shoe carrying device that has all of the advantages of theprior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe carryingdevice comprising a bag having a main compartment adapted to receive oneor more pairs of shoes therein and an opening adapted to provide accessto the main compartment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe carryingdevice wherein the interior of the bag includes at least one removablevertical divider adapted to separate a pair of shoes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shoecarrying device further comprising a cushioned insert adapted to conformto the size and shape of the shoe placed therein.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shoecarrying device wherein the exterior of the bag includes one or morepockets adapted to receive objects therein, such as a wallet andsmartphone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe carryingdevice that may be readily fabricated from materials that permitrelative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the shoe carryingdevice.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the interior of an embodiment of theshoe carrying device.

FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross sectional view of the shoe carryingdevice.

FIG. 4 shows a horizontal cross sectional view of the shoe carryingdevice wherein the shoes are resting on the front wall of the bag.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the exterior pocket of the shoecarrying device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the shoe carrying device. For the purposes of presenting abrief and clear description of the present invention, the preferredembodiment will be discussed as used for carrying a pair of shoestherein. The figures are intended for representative purposes only andshould not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the shoe carrying device and a perspective view of theinterior of an embodiment of the shoe carrying device. The device 11comprises a bag having a front wall 12, a rear wall 13, and a maincompartment within the interior of the device 11 adapted to receive oneor more pairs of shoes 24 therein. However, other embodiments includeother types of bags, such as a satchel, tote bag, backpack, clutch,duffel bag, messenger bag, sling bag, shoulder bag, or the like. Theshoe carrying device 11 further includes a top opening 35 adapted toprovide access to the main compartment. The main compartment protectsshoes 24 placed therein by preventing exposure from damaging elements,such as water or scuffing that can be encountered while wearing orholding a pair of shoes 24.

The top opening 35 of the device 11 provides access to the maincompartment therein. One or more fasteners are disposed along theopening 35 for removably sealing the opening to enclose the maincompartment of the device 11. In the illustrated embodiment, thefastener comprises a zipper 23 adapted to open and close the opening 35.The zipper 23 and opening 35 can extend from the base 36 of one side ofthe bag, vertically upwards to the top of the bag, across the top of thebag and down along the opposite side of the bag to the base 36. In otherembodiments, the device includes multiple openings 35 in the bag adaptedto provide access to the interior thereof, thereby providing anindependent opening 35 for accessing a pair of shoes 24 and analternative independent opening 35 for accessing other objects disposedtherein, such as a wallet and keys. The multiple openings 35 can bedisposed on the bag in any suitable configuration, such as a sideopening 35 or an opening 35 disposed on the base of the bag. In thisway, the interior of the bag allows for separation of a pair of shoes 24and other objects included therein.

The device 11 further includes one or more U-shaped handles 14 adaptedto be grasped by the user in order to support the device 11. TheU-shaped handles 14 are disposed on upper ends of the front wall 12 andrear wall 13 of the bag and fastened thereto by any suitable fastener,such as stitching. One or more shoulder straps 22 are included so as toallow an alternate manner of carrying the device 11. The shoulder straps22 are elongated and are preferably flat, wherein the strap 22 isadapted to be positioned around a user's neck or over a user's shoulder.The shoulder strap 22 can be adjustably attached to opposite sides ofthe bag. Corresponding D-rings 21 are fastened onto the bag, wherein theends of the shoulder strap 22 include a clip adapted to fasten to theD-ring 21. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of D-rings 21 aredisposed on opposing ends of the upper end of the bag. In this way, thebag is suspended in an upright position from a user's shoulder or neck.

In some embodiments, the device 11 comprises an additional fasteneradapted to fit over the opening 35 of the device 11. In the illustratedembodiment, the fastener is a clip 18 removably connected to a D-ring16. The clip 18 is connected to a strap 15 adapted to be positioned overthe top opening 35. The clip 18 is removably attached to the D-ring 16disposed on the rear wall 13 adapted to receive the clip 18 thereon. Theother end of the clip 18 is attached to the strap 15, wherein theopposite end of the strap 18 is permanently attached to the front wall12. In this way, the clip 18 is adapted to secure the top opening in aclosed position.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a vertical cross sectional viewof the shoe carrying device. At least one removable vertical divider 25is disposed in the main compartment of the bag, thus forming twocompartments therein. The divider 25 is preferably rectangular inconfiguration and flat so as to allow the maximum amount of storagespace in each of the compartments. The divider 25 is removably attachedto the interior of the bag by any suitable fastener, such as magnets oradhesive. The divider 25 is adapted to separate a pair of shoes 24 foreasy transport and storage thereof. However, the divider 25 can beremoved as needed to create more space in the interior of the bag.

A cushioned insert 29 is disposed on the bottom of the bag on theinterior thereof, wherein the cushioned insert 29 conforms to the sizeand shape of the shoe 24 therein. In this way, the shoes 24 remain in apreserved condition. The heel and toe of a shoe 24 form indentations 30,31 in the cushioned insert 29. The indentations 30, 31 allow the shoe 24to fit securely on the cushioned insert 29, wherein a cushioned surfaceis provided. The cushioning further protects the sole of the shoe 24from becoming scuffed or scratched. The cushioned insert 29 ispreferably similar in dimension to the dimension of the base of the bag.Any suitable fastener, such as adhesive, can be used to attach thecushioned insert 29 to the bottom interior of the bag. In someembodiments, the cushioned insert 29 is removable, thereby creating morespace within the bag, if removal was necessary. The cushioned insert 29can be composed of any suitable material, such as viscoelasticpolyurethane foam. The thickness of the cushioned insert 29 is dependenton the weight and size of an individual's shoe. For example, a personusing a the device 11 for carrying steel-toed work boots may require athicker cushioned insert 29 than a person with a small shoe sizecarrying a pair of sandals.

The device further includes one or more shoe straps 28 adapted to fitover a shoe 24 and secure the shoe 24 in an upright position. The shoestrap 28 is an elongated member having a first end and a second end,wherein both ends attach to the surface of the cushioned insert 29. Theshoe strap 28 is attached to the cushioned insert 29 by any suitablefastener, such as stitching. The shoe strap 28 is preferably composed ofan elastic material, wherein the shoe strap 28 is adapted to bepositioned over the upper end of a shoe 24 of varying dimensions andreturn to its original shape after becoming stretched. In use, the firstside of the shoe strap 28 extends upward from a side of the cushionedinsert 29, over the top of a shoe 24, and extends downward to anopposing side of the cushioned insert 29. In the illustrated embodiment,there is a first shoe strap 28 and a second shoe strap 28 adapted tosecure each shoe 24 positioned on either side of the vertical divider25.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a horizontal cross sectionalview of the shoe carrying device wherein shoes are resting on the frontwall of the bag. In some embodiments, the interior walls, including thefront wall 12 and the rear wall 13, of the bag comprise a cushionedinsert 43 disposed thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the cushionedinsert 43 conforms to the size and shape of the shoe 24 disposed withinthe bag. In this way, the shoes 24 remain in a preserved condition ifthe bag 12 is laid on the front or rear wall 12, 13 or if the bag isplaced under a heavier object and the walls 12, 13 collapse inward. Thesides of a shoe 24 form indentations 44, 45 in the cushioned insert 43.The indentations 44, 45 allow the shoe 24 to fit securely on thecushioned insert 43, wherein a cushioned surface is provided. Thecushioned insert 43 is preferably similar in dimension to the dimensionof the interior walls 12, 13 of the bag. Any suitable fastener, such asadhesive, can be used to attach the cushioned insert 43 to the interiorfront wall 12 and rear wall 13 of the bag. In some embodiments, thecushioned insert 43 is removable, thereby creating more space within thebag, if removal was necessary. The cushioned insert 43 can be composedof any suitable material, such as viscoelastic polyurethane foam. Thethickness of the cushioned insert 43 is dependent on the weight and sizeof an individual's shoe. For example, a person using a the device 11 forcarrying steel-toed work boots may require a thicker cushioned insert 43than a person with a small shoe size carrying a pair of sandals.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of theexterior pocket of the shoe carrying device. One or more pockets 19 aredisposed on the exterior of the bag, wherein the pocket includes a baseand one or more sidewalls with a defined interior volume 40. In theillustrated embodiment, a pocket 19 is disposed on the front wall 12 ofthe bag. The pocket 19 is rectangular in shape and expands the width ofthe bag. In this way, the pocket 19 is adapted to carry objects therein,such as a wallet 41, mobile phone 42, and the like. The strap 15disposed on the front wall 12 that can extend over the opening of thebag is adapted to close the upper end of the pocket 19 and secure theobjects therein. Thus, the device 11 eliminates the need to carry a pairof shoes by hand or to carry more than one bag in order to transport apair of shoes. In some embodiments, one or more pockets 19 are disposedon the interior of the bag, thereby providing additional organizationand storage space therein.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim: 1) A shoe carrying device, comprising: a bag having a frontwall and a rear wall; a main compartment included in an interior of saidbag adapted to receive a pair of shoes therein; wherein said bagcomprises an opening adapted to provide access to said main compartment;a cushioned insert disposed on an interior bottom surface of said bagadapted to conform to the size and shape of the shoe therein. 2) Theshoe carrying device of claim 2, wherein said an opening is closed andopened by one or more fasteners. 3) The shoe carrying device of claim 2,wherein said one or more fasteners is a zipper or clip. 4) The shoecarrying device of claim 1, wherein said bag includes one or morehandles. 5) The shoe carrying device of claim 1, further comprising oneor more pockets disposed on said exterior of said bag, wherein saidpocket includes a base and one or more sidewalls with a defined interiorvolume. 6) The shoe carrying device of claim 1, wherein said bagincludes one or more shoulder straps adapted to be placed around auser's neck or over a user's shoulder. 7) The shoe carrying device ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one removable vertical dividersdisposed in said main compartment, wherein said at least one removablevertical dividers adapted to separate a pair of shoes. 8) The shoecarrying device of claim 1, further comprising one or more shoe strapsattached to said cushioned insert adapted to fit over said shoe and holdsaid shoe in an upright position. 9) The shoe carrying device of claim1, wherein said cushioned insert is composed of foam. 10) The shoecarrying device of claim 9, wherein said foam is viscoelasticpolyurethane foam. 11) The shoe carrying device of claim 1, wherein saidcushioned insert is disposed on an interior wall of said bag.